Gymnasium of the Horse

Gustav Steinbrecht's Gymnasium of the Horse is one of the great milestones of equestrian literature, alongside Xenophon, de Pluvinel, Newcastle, and de la Guérinière. It forms a connection and transition between two eras.

    On one hand, it is the culmination of the equestrian literature of the late 18th century and 19th century that, under the influence of the Industrial Revolution, tried to explain equine biomechanics by comparing the body to a mechanical device.

    On the other hand, it forms the theoretical foundation for the H. Dv. 12 German Cavalry Manual on the training of horse and rider [Xenophon Press 2014] and its successor, the Richtlinien fuer Reiten und Fahren of the German National Federation. The Gymnasium of the Horse belongs on every dressage rider's bookshelf. It's the kind of book that needs to be studied, because every word is chosen deliberately, and every sentence is full of knowledge and meaning. It's a book that needs to be re-read regularly, because with each new reading, your understanding will evolve and deepen.

    It is a true classic, because it is universally accepted and admired, not only in Germany, but also in the rest of the dressage world, as it contains so much wisdom, so much invaluable advice that even 130 years later, it has lost nothing of its relevance. Steinbrecht formulates rules, principles, and guidelines for horse training more concisely and more sharply than almost any other author. His book has truly stood the test of time.

Contents
Foreword
A Preface for the Reprint
Preface by the Publisher of the First Edition
Introduction to the Fourth Edition
A. The Rider’s Seat and Aids
The Seat 
The Aids
The Driving Aids 
The Restraining Aids 
The Supporting Aids 
B. The Purpose of Dressage
General Comments 
Letting the Horse Find Its Balance 
C. Systematic Training of the Horse
Work on the Lunge 
Starting the Young Horse  
Developing Thrust in Its Natural Carriage 
The Artificial Carriage of the Horse 
Bending the Horse 
Bending the Neck 
Bending the Poll 
Bending the Spine 
Bending the Hind Legs 
Bending the Horse on One Track 
Lessons on Two Tracks
Shoulder-In 
Travers 
Counter-Movements 
The Canter 
D. School Movements
Lower-Level Movements 
Movements of the Haute École
Piaffe and Passage 
Haute École Lifts and Airs Above the Ground 
E. Epilogue 
Xenophon Press Library